Global T20 Canada: Chris Gayle's stunner leaves Kavem Hodge in utter shock

Not often does one see Chris Gayle pull out a dive. The Jamaican is more of a lethargic outfielder who doesn’t prefer to throw himself in the outfield. In case of the hulk-like spectacle, a fielding spectacle is more of a bolt from the blue. However, yesterday’s match was one such occasion when Gayle enthralled the audience with a spectacular reflex-catch at King City in Toronto.

Gayle represented the Vancouver Knights, who played the Final of the Global Canada T20 against Cricket West Indies B team. The Knights won by seven wickets with 15 balls to spare and became the champions of the inaugural edition of the tournament. After winning the toss and electing to field first, the Knights picked up wickets at regular intervals to push their opponents on the back foot.

Gayle’s blinder in the slips

By the 12th over, Anthony Bramble’s team were tottering at 87/6 and desperately needed a partnership to flourish. Kavem Hodge came to bat and scored 16 runs with a couple of boundaries. Unfortunately, just when he seemed to take the match away from the Knights, Fawad Ahmed produced an absolute corker which turned out to be too hot to handle for the right-hander.

The Australian tweaker churned out a leg-break, which pitched a tad outside the off-stump. Hodge made an initial forward-movement but realized that the delivery wasn’t full enough to be driven. He went on the back foot in order to cut the ball, however, he wasn’t in a position to nail the stroke gracefully. He slashed at the ball and it flew at the speed of a gazelle to Gayle in the first slip.

He stuck his left hand out with a dive, but couldn’t hold on as the ball bounced off his palm. Such catches either stick or they don’t and the fielder doesn’t get a second chance to take the catch on a rebound. Nevertheless, after failing with his left-hand, he pulled out his right hand and managed to cling on to the leather. His teammates were ecstatic and Hodge was expectantly left bemused.

Here’s the video

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